Caffeine rush caused minister to change Bang Sue Station’s name, MP alleges

That was the theory Move Forward Party MP Jirat Thongsuwan gave for the decision to change the name of Bang Sue Station.

He told the House of Representatives on Thursday that Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob was drinking coffee when it suddenly occurred to him to rename the rail station.

Jirat made the comment while demanding that Saksayam explain why the 33 million baht contract for redesigning the station’s logo and installing new signage was awarded to Unique Engineering and Construction Plc without a tender.

Sajsatam said the contract was awarded to the company quickly because it built the station and the period for the company to guarantee the quality of its work has not yet expired.

Saksayam said modifications to Bang Sue Station carried out during the guarantee period in the contract with Unique Engineering and Construction went to the company. As a result, when the signage and logo had to be redesigned, the project was awarded to the contractor, he explained.

Jirat noted that the public was wondering whether it really costs 33 million baht to redesign a logo and change signage from “Bang Sue Grand Station” to “Krung Thep Apiwat Central Terminal”.

The amount is being paid by the State Railway of Thailand to Unique.

Jirat said the public had doubts about the transparency of the procurement process. Unique was awarded the project without having to compete in a bidding process, he noted.

The State Railway of Thailand signed a contract with the construction company that includes the installation of two new SRT logos as well as a three-metre high sign above its entrance with 48 Thai and 62 English letters.

Jirat said that after the alleged caffeine rush inspired the minister to change the station’s name, he ordered the State Railway of Thailand to rush the project through.

The Cabinet Secretariat was then asked to seek a new name from His Majesty the King and the project was awarded to Unique Engineering and Construction two weeks later.

Saksayam said he had set up a fact-finding committee to investigate the project and would have more details within 15 days.

Saksayam said he would have to wait for the committee’s report before determining whether the price was too high.

Meanwhile, the National Anti-Corruption Commission announced it had started an inquiry into the Unique contract.

Commission secretary-general Niwat Kasemmongkok said the anti-graft body was gathering information.

It wants to find out whether the procurement process violated the law and what criteria were used for hiring the contractor, Niwat said.

State Railway of Thailand’s labour union earlier said the cost was too high and called on the Transport Ministry to investigate.

On Wednesday, the State Railway of Thailand defended the contract, saying the price was based on the median set by a committee.

It said the contract was awarded by what it referred to as the “specific” method of bidding because it had to be implemented urgently. Still, the process adhered strictly to the Comptroller General’s Department’s procurement regulations, the agency said.

The cost also included the removal of the old signage, the agency explained.